[Jessie-718]

So I've been seeing a therapist for a couple weeks and she's alright, but the methods that we're using aren't really helping me. She wants me to talk through my problems with my family and I try but it doesn't help me or give me coverage, my sleeping problems aren't changing, nor my anxiety calming down. It's just talking about everything and it doesn't help me.
I believe that some kind of medication will help me overall with my irritability, sleep, anxiety, and depression, but I don't know if I should just ask her and see what she thinks or should I just keep things the way they are? I don't want to be dependent on the drug but I just want to see if it'll work y'know. I don't want her to think I'm just there to get medication I just really want these thoughts to go away and get help.
Thanks

[CANDC]

Jessie,
If the therapy is not helping you then you may need to seek other options. A psychiatrist can diagnose your condition and suggest a med treatment plan - you can ask for meds that help you sleep and are not addictive.

There are times when talk therapy can be a big help. I do not agree with the advice to talk with the family unless they are very supportive. Families often feel guilt over the unspoken stigmas of mental health issues. Many people find talking about their problems at places like Psych Central gets them the empathy they need and none of the flash back of negative emotions.

The therapist you have may not ever prescribe meds or may not be able to prescribe.

I use an exercise that helps me slow down my racing mind. it helps me relax and not feed the worries.

Breathe Naturally. Silently count 1 on the inhale, 2 on the exhale, 3 on the inhale, 4 on the exhale...continuing this way up to 10. Then start at 1 again.

You cannot do two things at once so it will lessen the amount of energy feeding the anxiety.

You can also be an active member in other ways like supporting others in their questions, reading articles and posts http://forums.psychcentral.com that are applicable to your area of concern.

Please feel free to private message me or any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.

[Perna]

It has taken most of your life up to this time to develop your anxiety and sleeping problems and they will take more than a few weeks to help. I would tell your therapist you are interested in trying sleep and/or anxiety medicine but generally meds are for helping with the talking work. The anxiety and sleeping problems are from your life experiences and medicine only "supports" one getting well, does not actually make one well. I generally tried to ignore the symptoms (sleep and anxiety) and look for and address the problem to make the problem go away; just feeling a bit better doesn't really address any underlying situation?

Have you looked at your sleep hygiene and tried to make sure you are exercising and eating properly to help with your anxiety?

https://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-.../sleep-hygiene

http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/...iety-and-depre

[iheartjacques]

It takes a while for them to get to know you and get psst the general chit chat and into the real stuff.

[ChipperMonkey]

Sometimes it can take a LONG time to master a skill. I'm not trying to sound discouraging but I don't want you to give up.

It took me NINE months to master my best coping skill. So please keep trying.....